Are You Someone Who Has Lost Your Competitive Edge in the Way You Dress?

Recently I was having a phone conversation with an attendee from a recent workshop. I asked, "what prompted you to want to chat further?"

He said, "I feel I've lost my competitive edge with the way I dress."

Sometimes you get so comfortable in how you dress, you don't realize anything is wrong.

It could be your current job, the environment you're in, your weight or size that's possibly holding you back.

You stop shopping. Your style becomes stagnant.

The desire to show-up looking sharp doesn't matter anymore. You've told yourself, it's OK nobody really cares, it's my intellect that matters most.

Until, one day you see someone dressing differently. Your eye's perk up and realize WOW that person looks sharp!

So professional and polished.

Subconsciously you're wondering what that person does.

You're thinking I would really love to get to know that person.

Hmmm that person has it going on.

Your brain is going through a process that is called thin slicing according to Malcom Gladwell, author of the book Blink. You've just had a multitude of thoughts go through your mind in about 1/10 of a second.

That person made a great first impression and you're thinking I want what that person has.

You go home that night, look in your closet and realize you have a lot of clothes you're not wearing for one reason or another.

We all hold onto clothing for many different reasons. One being you spent good money on that suit or jacket and are having a hard time letting go of it. Or you're thinking I may have an opportunity to wear that jacket someday (which of coarse you may.)

What you may not realize is you're in a different place mentally. You're not the same person you were 5 or 10 years ago. It may be physically (you've lost or gained weight) but most of all you're in a renewed place mentally.

You are ready to elevate how you show up.

You're ready to take control of your personal style.

You're ready to get back that competitive edge you once had.

Style has come along way over the last 5-10 years especially for men. The selection in styles, colors, prints and silhouette has evolved and expanded.

If you want to stay current and relevant, I suggest shopping a minimum of once a season. (fall and spring)

Now that you've realized you need a change, the next step is eliminating pieces in your closet that are not working for you and add pieces that elevate the new you as well as make you feel like a million bucks! (Don't worry... I'm here to take you through that daunting process.)

Think of it as investing in yourself to become a better you. Let your expertise and talent be revealed through your dress.

Let your presence do the speaking.

It's a new season, a great time to look at your wardrobe with a fresh pair of eyes.

Is it time to gain back your competitive edge with how you dress so others can say, "WOW, that's a sharp person!"

If you said YES, let's chat. Book Your Style Strategy Conversation Here.

Your Personal Image + Likeability = The Whole Story

We know you are looking and feeling amazing on the outside but we also know there is more to a person than simply their clothing.  I am fascinated by the Likeability Factor.  I believe the L-Factor can give you that extra edge when making a great first impression and building authentic relationships.

Being a big fan of the TV show, The Voice, I have observed over and over how individuals are voted on by the American public. They may have the best voice ever but if the viewers do not find them likeable…it shows in the voting. On the other hand, we’ve all met those people that we really like, and you may have never given it a second thought to why you like them so much, that is the Likeability Factor at work.

This is an area that I suggest you become more aware of when you are presenting yourself whether for business or pleasure.  I believe it make a big difference in how you are perceived.

4 Elements that Create Your Likeability Factor:

1. Friendliness

Expressing a general positive feeling. If someone perceives that you like them, they will most likely like you back. Without reciprocation, likeability is not likely to happen.

Friendliness is about developing a friendly mind-set. Get rid of unfriendly.

How to show friendly signs:

• Let them see you SMILE before you say a word
• When you greet others, lead with your smile
• Make eye contact
• Use your eye brows
• Use your eyes to show emotion
• Hold your head up when you talk
• Maintain good posture
• Use friendly words such as wonderful, excellent, awesome, beautiful, perfect, appreciate, inspiring, etc.
• Use friendly phrases such as nice to see you, glad you are here, welcome, how can I help, absolutely, and sure.

BE YOURSELF ALWAYS. THIS IS ABOUT BEING A BETTER YOU.

2. Relevance

Relevance is the extent to which the other person connects to your life’s interests, wants and needs. The variable is the strength of the connection. When people connect with one of your high-level interests or needs their relevance to you soars.

3 LEVELS OF RELEVANCE: BASIC CONTACT, MUTUAL INTERESTS, VALUE

How to show relevance:

• Basic contact: Part of the same group. Live by each other
• When others are in frequent contact with you, they have a bias to like you
• Improve the quality of your contacts by staying connected
• Mutual interests: discover what your contacts interests are. You’re developing commonality. Connect with others wants and needs. The variable is the strength of the connection.
• Value: if you possess a skill that will help someone complete a task, you are more relevant to that person.
• Likeability and interests are related, because when two people have a passion in common, they are connected at the sweet spot, which is at the heart of being relevant.

3. Empathy

Can you see things from their point of view? Can you feel what they feel? Can you walk in that persons shoes?

Empathy delivers the psychological benefits, personal worth, how you feel, validated, appreciated, and special.

How to show empathy:

• If you’re not aware of others’ feelings, you can be perceived as insensitive
• Don’t interrupt
• Wear your listening cap. Commit to being a better listener to understand how others feel
• Ask, don’t tell. Ask for details
• Remember conversations

4. Realness

We ask the question is this person real? Genuine, trustworthy, authentic. When we search for realness in another person, we recognize it by its absence.

How to show realness:

• Be true to yourself. You must know the real you.
• Let your values be your compass as you navigate life.
• Practice humility. Watch out for exaggeration.
• Share your realness. Learn to say, “I don’t know.”
• Be present. Whenever you are with others, be with them 100%.
   

How to Find Your Likeable Self:

1. Try to recall the last time someone paid you a compliment

2. What compliments did you most enjoy receiving?

3. Think about your biggest fan, this person talks about you in glowing terms.

4. What converted her from an acquaintance to a supporter?

5. What would be 2 likeable features she would say?

6. Role model – someone you admire & want to emulate – top 2 features

7. Identify the features that contribute to a high L-factor in yourself and others.

What Others Say About YOU… Be More of That!

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*Information obtained from the book,  The Likeability Factor by Tim Sanders.